R

rustychassis

Member
Hey all, I'm sure there are millions of threads about putting a v8 in the series 3 but I can't find a conclusive thread that covers all things. So help is truly appreciated, plus provide the usual banter for asking dumb questions and the odd angry comment from people who don't like noobs asking questions.

It's a series 3 without an engine at present, has an lt77 gearbox currently in it, I want to add a 3.9 V8 (on carbs).

Questions -
  1. What's more cost-effective - A) Welding V8 brackets from an original onto the series 3 chassis. B) Finding pre-made conversion brackets.
  2. Bell housing - I've seen a "Long Shaft" bell housing for a v8 to lt77. Is this correct? Or is there a different one and it's dependent on vehicle length?
  3. What clutch to use? The series 3 currently has one but not sure what it's from.
  4. Universal Loom - I want to strip out all electrics, lights, heating, literally anything that isn't involved in making the engine run on carbs. I then want to simply run a line from the battery to a fuse box, then from the fuse box to the steering wheel. From there all lights. Then one for brakes and reverse. Any advice on how simple this is? I want the least amount of things that can humanly go wrong.
I'm doing this on a budget, the smallest in the world, so trying to be creative with what I do.

I have a holley carb, manifold and v8. Just need to price up what I'm missing and get started.
 
I can't offer much help other than say, are you sure it will fit in? Are you planning to move the rad and front panal flush with the end of the wings? It makes sense to keep the wiring as simple as possible but get good quality wire and try to stick to the original colour codes. I would get the right clutch for the engine.

Col
 
Colthebrummie said:
I can't offer much help other than say, are you sure it will fit in? Are you planning to move the rad and front panal flush with the end of the wings? It makes sense to keep the wiring as simple as possible but get good quality wire and try to stick to the original colour codes. I would get the right clutch for the engine.

Col
Click to expand...

Will it fit..... No idea, ha. But yeah, I'm assuming it will involve moving the rad.

I was looking at fitting a cummins 6bt, as a friends a mechanic for the busses. However think that's a challenge I'm not worthy of.
 
 
Ive sometimes seen posts from people who say, "I'm thinking of dropping a V8 into my series" or words to that effect. They make it sound like the easiest thing in the world. I've had enough trouble in the past just getting the original engine out and then back in again. Some folk are brilliant engineers and such a task doesn't faze them but for mere mortals, such an undertaking should not be done without serious consideration.

Col
 
Colthebrummie said:
Ive sometimes seen posts from people who say, "I'm thinking of dropping a V8 into my series" or words to that effect. They make it sound like the easiest thing in the world. I've had enough trouble in the past just getting the original engine out and then back in again. Some folk are brilliant engineers and such a task doesn't faze them but for mere mortals, such an undertaking should not be done without serious consideration.

Col
Click to expand...
Normally it’s for a bet...

once the engines in it can be a pain to work on
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Tig-man
Tax Exempt, modifications question
Replies
13
Views
534
300bhp/ton
300bhp/ton
1976 Land Rover
Rover v8 to lt76 clutch options
Replies
5
Views
826
Rangieman123
Rangieman123
Becks Bear
Defender V8 3.9EFI manual to automatic
Replies
6
Views
2K
discool
discool
W
Engine identification
Replies
7
Views
2K
Dippypud
Dippypud
beerdude
3 or 5 Bearing engine?
Replies
1
Views
618
marjon
marjon